Lake County >> Physician Mark Kropp recently entered the Democratic race for Assembly District 4, the post being vacated by Bill Dodd.
Kropp, 56, is joining Winters Mayor Cecilia Aguiar-curry, Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor and Davis Mayor Dan Wolk to succeed Dodd, who is running for the state Senate when current Senator Lois Wolk steps down due to term limits.
The Fourth Senate District includes both Yolo and Lake counties, as well as part of Colusa, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
“I am a resident of Yolo County and now a land owner of Lake County,” Kropp said in a press statement. “I begin, as many, with my boots on the ground. My family and I are vested in the future of Clearlake.”
The sole Republican seeking post is Charlie Schaupp of Esparto, a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. He presently serves as president of the Esparto Community Services District board.
Kropp holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of California, Berkeley and received his medical degree from American University of the Caribbean. He does volunteer work as a physician in South American, where he specializes in family practices and tropical diseases, according to his website. He has served on the 2015-16 Yolo County Grand Jury and is president of the AUC Alumni Association.
“As most Americans I do not take lightly my right to vote nor my responsibility to vote,” he wrote on his website. “I have however been a part of the silent majority. Part of those who do not vote and those who vote when they choose to vote.”
Kropp said he wants to bring to the Assembly “a strong understanding of people, behavior, medicine and law. I believe in independence and freedom to speak and choose. I should not be told ‘no.’ I want people to be answered ‘yes-do it.’”
“In the Assembly it is my plan to write legislation that makes sense,” continues. “I plan on voting non-sense off the record. The 4th Assembly District needs a new fresh perspective. The 4th Assembly District does not need career politicians.”
Kopp notes in 1996 he ran as a state legislative candidate for Democrats in Connecticut; and in 2000 he ran as a state legislative candidate for the Republicans in California, but does not specify where.
He has participated in student government in high school, college and in medical school.
“I am well versed in federal and state regulations and law,” he writes. “I am a student of the law. I am a student of politics. It is time, and with the support of my family and friends I am placing my name on the ballot to represent the 4th Assembly District.”
